Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I know you usually are supposed to put the bride's name first in these sort of things, but the groom happens to be my brother, so I reserve the right to be a bit untraditional! Like them, the wedding was fun and perfect. They exchanged vows barefoot in sand in Beth's mom's backyard since a trip to the beach would not have allowed all their friends and family to be present. So instead, they brought the beach to them! Complete with tiki bar and boardwalk, everything looked great. I was charged with capturing all the sweet moments. My first wedding shoot, and probably my most important one! Major stress aside, I think I was able to get a few good ones. I hope they will agree when they finally get to see. I'm still in the midst of editing the 800 photos I took over the weekend, but here's one of my faves to tide everyone over. The rest to come soon!

Speaking of family, I'm lucky enough to be part of a new, fantastic site for moms and women in general:

You've got to go check it out! Lots of good, easy to read info and resources there. I've already spent hours browsing through everything! And once in a while, you may just see some content by yours truly. Be sure to bookmark it!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Some of you long-term fans may remember a collab kit I did sometime ago with the uber-talented Anglea Powers. I have now completely updated and added to that kit. A few of you who leave me a nice comment with an email address might receive this kit for free!

Fish stream by in clustered groups as bubbles rise from nooks and crannies. Waves move the water gently from side to side, and whales lazily breathe water into the sky. Seaweed dance to the song of the sea. This is the underwater world that captivates adults and children alike!

As tropical as the Deep Blue Sea martini (recipe included in kit), Joy To The Fishes is a kit that embodies our love of the ocean! Use it to capture a trip to the beach, a cruise, or a day in the pool.

As a bonus, when you purchase this kit, you get a set of quickpages for free! Also, during happy hour, newsletter and blog readers save an extra 10%! Use coupon code JTTF10 to receive this extra discount.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Thursday, July 23, 2009

I am beginning to get a bit nervous about my upcoming first real photography gig: my brother's wedding. I think he is nuts, but he actually wants me to document this momentous occasion (none of us actually thought it would ever happen). So, I've been surfing the internet for countless ideas and inspiration. I thought I would share a few of my favorites:

Jessica Claire: Not only does she share my youngest daughter's first and middle names, but she is hands-down my favorite wedding photographer. She even includes exposure details on her blog.

Brenda Acuncius: Brenda is a beautiful woman herself, and has amazing talent for capturing the essence of childhood.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

In 4 days, I leave for Orlando alone. My flight has been booked for over a month and my hotel reservation awaits my arrival. I am, for the most part, a travel virgin. I have only flown twice. Once with my new husband to Mexico for our honeymoon. Once by myself to visit a friend across the country. While the flying itself does not bother me in the least, it is all the details that un-nerve me. Flight confirmations? Transportation from the airport? Rules and regulations? I hope to at least gain experience so that these things are no longer so foreign to me!

However nervous I am about the trip, I am three times as much excited! I will get to spend time with friends I have only ever talked to and who can truly appreciate this craft that I immerse myself in daily. Five child-free days to myself in one of my favorite cities, not to mention a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.

shoppe talk

I have put the alpha from my Sweet Sixteen kit in the shoppe separately, so now those of you who do not want the full kit, but love the alpha, can have it!

This alpha is actually two separate alphas! The main alpha includes letters, numbers, European characters, and punctuation. Use the confetti alpha (letters and numbers) to layer underneath or to use separately!

A select few (including you!) can get this alpha at an extra 10% savings, today only. Simply use coupon code 16Alpha10 to receive the extra discount.

I cannot believe that I now have a 16-year old! If it was to happen, I do not think I could have gotten one any more beautiful:

The party was a booming success, and even the adults had a large time! We draped the patio gazebo in white and hot pink tulle, lights, and streamers to commemorate the occasion. Three dozen balloons filled the ceiling, and their long strings draped on the floor, creating a colorful curtain in which to linger.

A tent was placed in the yard opposite the pool and decorated with more draping tulle and lights. This spot housed the cupcake tower and a place to place gifts. It also held the candy bar, where guests could fill up their own takeout boxes with the confections of their choice.

The ring pops included in the candy bar were popular with the teens, as well as the smaller children.

When it was time to give out gifts, Morgan was a proper princess and gushed over each gift for the appropriate amount of time. I had to hurry her along, since the light was fast diminishing and I wanted to catch on film her expression when she opened her very last gift, from her parents and grandparents.

Morgan's closest friends attended, and she made sure to take time to pose with each of them.

All the glittering lights put quite a magical spell on the end of the evening.

Morgan's favorite part of the party? Sucking on helium balloons to make their voices sound like sqeaking chipmunks!

For a girl, turning 16 is a very special birthday. Hopefully, she will remember this occasion as the best party she had while still at home. Too soon she will no longer be living under our roof, so I only hope that this gave her something wonderful to remember in later years.

So it is documented, and you all don't think I have forgotten the promised prize from my last post, these girls will be receiving my Sweet 16 kit for free! I have already contacted them with their coupons. Congrats!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Like the new header? :) Morgan will be having her Sweet 16th birthday party this month. I never had a big blowout for mine, so I want to make sure she gets a party to remember! In honor of the celebration, I made a new kit with the colors and theme ideas that we will be using:

My creative team has done an amazing job with it. Just look at some of these layouts!

By Amanda:

By Sarah:

By Jasmin:

By Martina:

By Laura:

The good news is that the kit is available today, and the even better news is that you can get it for an extra 10% off during Happy Hour! Just use coupon code 16isSWEET for the extra discount.

I will also likely be giving the kit away to one or two lucky commenters (be sure to leave me your email address!) ;)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

So what's the miracle? I actually scrapped! It's been weeks since I've had the time to sit at the computer for fun, and it was soooo therapeutic! It was fun just looking through my months of photos that I haven't even had time to edit. These pictures were from my brother's engagement shoot. Our sons together :)

Now I'm in the mood to edit photos and scrap, scrap, scrap! Hopefully you will see more to come. If you don't, remind me that I need a little "me" time once in awhile!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I'm so excited about my latest creation! I teamed up with Crissy Armstrong (Pink Ellie Designs) to create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind kit! Perfect for all those trips to the circus, carnival, and state fair. Or, if you're like me, any trip to the mall carousel will do!

Now through the weekend, you can save an extra 10% off the sale price! Just use coupon code ahcaCIRCA to receive the extra discount.

Also, 2 lucky commenters will get the kit for free! Leave me some love for a chance to win :) I sure could use some for this poor neglected blog!

Monday, May 4, 2009

First, let me say a huge thank you to those of you who stuck with us through all our server issues! I know the site was slow, but it just goes to show how many fans A5D has. That is one comforting thought :)

I tried to leave comments on everyone's blog who left comments for me on day 1. Thank you for that as well!

I have chosen 4 comments from Day 3 to receive a free kit. These ladies need to send me an email (amy@afterfivedesigns.com) with their email address, and which kit of mine (ah! Designs) they would like for free:

NiannaLucie / adelina77Julie (mrs2a50)Kristy (iscraptoo)

Congrats girls! I will try to be back soon with an update on that boring, personal stuff :p

Sunday, May 3, 2009

National Scrapbooking Day is here and we are celebrating all weekend long, starting on Friday with a store-wide sale, daily promotions, blog party and fun challenges/contests in the forum. Don't forget our 5-5-5 collab, Art & Soul, with guest mixologist Kitty Chen, is $5 for five days!

Save $5.00 on all orders $15.00 or more today:

leave me a comment!

*To celebrate day 3 of NSD, I'm giving away a kit of your choice! Just post in the comments for your chance to win!*

Saturday, May 2, 2009

National Scrapbooking Day is here and we are celebrating all weekend long, starting on Friday with a store-wide sale, daily promotions, blog party and fun challenges/contests in the forum. Don't forget our 5-5-5 collab, Art & Soul, with guest mixologist Kitty Chen, is $5 for five days!

We have a special sale on all site collabs today:

coupon!

*To celebrate day 2 of NSD, I'm offering an extra $1.00 off on my products only to my faithful blog readers! Just use code nsdDAY2 to receive the extra discount.*

Thanks to everyone who's hanging in there during our server issues! Things seems stable for now, so get your shopping done, and be sure to come back tomorrow for another deal!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

National Scrapbooking Day is here and we are celebrating all weekend long, starting on Friday with a store-wide sale, daily promotions, blog party and fun challenges/contests in the forum. Don't forget our 5-5-5 collab, Art & Soul, with guest mixologist Kitty Chen, is $5 for five days:

coupon!

*To celebrate day 1 of NSD, I'm offering an extra 10% on my products only to my faithful blog readers! Just use code nsdDAY1 to receive the extra discount. Also, posting a comment here might get you a chance at a little something extra ;) *

Thursday, March 12, 2009

My brother is getting married, and I've been enlisted as the official photographer. Yes, he's completely nuts. As practice for the big day, and to get rid of some of the jitters on my end, I took them both out to my favorite photo spot for engagement photos.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I'm a Harry Potter nerd. Seriously. I told my dad that I'm re-reading the series (for the 4th or 5th time) and annotating this time. I even got little arrow-shaped stickies to post my notes on as I go. He snickered. The smartest man I know, a college professor, actually *snickered* at me. Yeah, I'm a nerd.

I downloaded some wizard rock today. I love Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls, so I finally broke down and bought an album. I also love The Mudbloods, but I can't find out how to purchase their album. If anyone knows, it would make this nerd very happy :)

I saw a fun idea on Emily Merritt's blog today, and I would like to join in. The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Made with tons of love just for you! Not necessarily a digiscrap product, you might be surprised what you get! Give it a try!

The catch?

You must re -post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a lovely little treat for themselves! Have Fun!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

(note: be sure to read *that's READ, not scroll* ;) all the way to the bottom for a freebie!)

Wow, time flies. Whether you're having fun or not. I must learn how to slow down and enjoy time, or mine will be over before I get the chance!

My planner has been invaluable in keeping track of time. I get so much more done when I can see the whole week laid out in front of me. The greatest feeling is looking at it at the end of the week and seeing all those little checkmarks next to my completed tasks. I promised a free planner to some random winners in my last post (weeks ago, I know!), so these are the comment-leavers I have chosen:

ChrisMelindaTeresaPriscilla

That's approximately 10% of the gals who left comments. But because this is so late, I would love for the other 90% (and whoever else actually still reads this blog) to have it 50% off. Just use coupon code planablog for the discount. Coupon is good for the rest of the month. Enjoy!

Despite my lack of updates, I have been enjoying Project 365 this year! January is now over, so I have a few photos to share, for posterity's sake.

A sampling from January:

I had several favorites. I just can't resist this little face, especially when he dresses up in his sister's jacket!

Morgan doesn't usually let me snap many candids of her. She hates her smile, and has to preview each photo before I am "allowed" to keep it. This is one I wouldn't let her see. I love it!

The kids' cousin (once removed, but I won't go there, Kat ;) ) made them each (and me too!) a scarf and hat:

My girls don't often get along, so it's sweet when they pretend, just for the camera!

I have a few faves from February so far too(say THAT five times fast... few faves from february, few faves from february, few faves from february...):

My dear friend and I co-hosted a kick-butt Superbowl party. It was such a blast! At the end of the night, I caught Alex sneaking away with all the party favors:

He also loves dress-up as much as his sisters did. Other favorites? Using the remote to "watch five zero" (channel 50 is the Disney channel here) all by himself.

I did some much-needed cleanup in my office (sorry, honey, OUR office) and scrap space. Now the open-shelved closet looks much better:

I attacked the china cabinet in the dining room as well:

This is my favorite new home decor item:

Is that not the coolest cooler you've ever seen? This thing looks old and rustic. It has rusty Texas-style barn stars on the top (I made hubby remove the metal deer skull on the front. *shiver*) and the top is hinged to conceal the ice. It stands on 4 legs and acts as a great sofa table when it's not party time. Keeps ice frozen for 5 days straight. And, yes, that is a bottle opener built right in! Is this thing me or what? I found it at the local grocery store of all places, and couldn't resist.

Now that my (I mean our!) office is clean, my creativity is back in full force. I've even been doing a bit of scrapping.

latest layouts

This one was done with my White Almond Kiss kit. I'm really in the Valentine's Day mood!